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The Best High School Grad Gifts to Prep for College

After 12 years filled with countless exams, championship games and probably a bit of heartbreak, get them something to celebrate one of life’s big accomplishments.

collage of wallet, a bag, a watch, a mouse, a keyboard, and a phone charger

By Will Porter and Grace Cooper

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One of life’s first big achievements, graduating from high school is a defining moment that deserves to be celebrated. The best high school graduation gifts are the ones that prepare the graduate for their future, whether it is college, taking a gap year or entering the workforce. Sometimes that is the watch they’ll wear with pride into their 20s (before the inevitable upgrade) and sometimes it is just a sturdy pair of shoes to get them through the first semester of college. Regardless of what they’re moving on to, celebrating the achievement with a gift is always a good move.

Products in the Guide

If you’re stumped — we’ve got you covered. From work from home accessories to activewear to first-time cooking necessities, there are lots of great options for the new grad(s) in your life. Just make sure to order in time for upcoming graduation parties. And if you’re too late, there’s always gift cards.

A nice pair of joggers will keep them out of sweatpants — at least for one day a week. And these Lululemons are lightweight, quick-drying and great for working out too.

THESE ARE THE BEST JOGGERS FOR MEN

They’ll be eternally grateful for the ability to wirelessly charge all their devices at once and never have to fumble with cords again.

READ MORE ABOUT THE BEST WIRELESS CHARGERS

For the late sleeper, don’t just leave the wakeup calls to their phone. The Loftie is not only an alarm clock but also a noise machine, speaker and nightlight.

WAKE UP BETTER WITH THESE SMART ALARM CLOCKS

Classic Backpack CompactBellroy

Best Gift for College Students

Bellroy Classic Backpack Compact

One of our favorite backpacks, the Bellroy Classic has a built-in key clip, 13-inch laptop sleeve and water-resistant sunglasses compartment. Plus, it’ll be a step up from the JanSport that everyone else will be rocking in class.

HEADING TO COLLEGE? TRY THESE BACKPACKS

aeropress go coffee makerAmazon

Best Gift for Coffee Lovers

AeroPress Go Portable Travel Coffee Press Kit

Don’t leave your new grad hanging — this AeroPress will allow them to make coffee easily in their dorm or even on the go.

HERE ARE THE BEST COFFEE MAKERS

A robe is a great thing to have on hand for communal living, whether in a dorm, apartment or at home. Plus, Parachute has some of the best, most luxurious robes around.

WE FOUND THE BEST ROBES FOR MEN

Upgrade their built-in laptop keyboard to this colorful, customizable and wireless one from Logitech.

Instill this knowledge in your grad’s cranium before they leave home: sweatpants are not to be worn 24/7. At the very least, help them upgrade to something like Ten Thousand’s Interval Short — they’re more stylish, more flattering and offer just as much comfort.

Especially if they’re going to be living in a dorm next year, a pair of noise-cancelling headphones will block out all the background noise to help your recent grad focus.

STAY FOCUSED WITH THE BEST NOISE-CANCELING HEADPHONES

For homework and online classes, this handsome laptop stand will give their dorm setup an elegant, ergonomic touch.

For the allergy sufferer, an air purifier will truly help out. And this one from Coway is our absolute favorite, plus it’s good for small spaces.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BEST AIR PURIFIERS

Sending them off to college with a dependable, fully-packed first aid kit is always a good idea. We especially love this small, packable one from VSSL.

For the days they aren’t sporting a hefty backpack, this sling bag will help them stay hands-free for errands and activities.

THESE ARE OUR FAVORITE SLING BAGS

The MX Master 3 might just be the perfect wireless mouse for most people. It has a nice ergonomic design, a superb battery life and an addicting and satisfying scroll wheel.

Madewell isn’t a tech company, but it makes some of the nicest accoutrements for our favorite accessories. Take this laptop sleeve. It’s elegant, classy and practical. Bing, bang, boom.

CHECK OUT THE BEST LAPTOP BAGS

While they won’t have a lot of room for kitchen appliances, a compact blender can probably make the cut. It’ll be perfect for quick snacks, meals and adding some greens to their diet.

A combo watch, fitness tracker and so much more, the newest Apple watch is sure to up their everyday routine.

READ OUR REVIEW OF THE APPLE WATCH ULTRA

Whether they’re already a regular coffee drinker or about to become one, teach them the importance of good coffee and save them from a Starbucks addiction with this subscription service.

Mod Phone Case + Wallet Double Rail SystemBellroy

Bellroy Mod Phone Case + Wallet Double Rail System

For the forgetful student who is always losing things, gift them this combo wallet and phone case.

A hyper-accurate and legible G-Shock watch will help responsible graduates stay on time for both college classes and part-time jobs. It’s also got a no-nonsense vibe and will be more than ready for the physical rigors of any weekend adventures.

Granted, not all recent grads will have a kitchen or storage space for a full cookware set — but if they do, this is the one to get.

A nice set of easily portable buds will make or break late-night study sessions and the welcome workout at the student gym.

WE REVIEWED THE AIRPODS PRO 2

A handsome weekender is not only a necessity for going off to college but it’s also a reminder to come home for the holidays.

The new generation of Seiko 5 Sports watches are ridiculously inexpensive for what they offer — but they don’t feel like it. Sporty, handsome and a little edgy, they work as well as a young graduate’s first mechanical watch and even offer something a seasoned collector can appreciate.

Yes, they could easily buy a towel for themselves, but why not elevate this basic with these soft, waffle-weave towels from Onsen?

This sleek, yet simple RFID wallet holds up to 12 cards, and it’ll be perfect for remembering everything they need, from a credit card to a student ID.

READ MORE ABOUT THE BEST WALLETS

They might not have a lot of time to sleep, but when they do it should be on some quality sheets. Brooklinen’s are some of the best, and they’ll last all four years or more.

THESE ARE OUR FAVORITE SHEETS

Thanks to its packable size, the Mini can go anywhere a grad does. And yet it still boasts enough muscle-massaging power to make its big brothers proud: the highest setting of three pounds out 2,400 percussions per minute.

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